Author: Tashjian Arbi

AZERBAIJAN MAY RECALL ITS AMBASSADOR FROM WASHINGTON

armradio.am
05.03.2010 16:16

The Azerbaijani Presidential Administration categorically condemned
the adoption of the resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide by
the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

Such step by the U.S congressmen is mistaken and unfair, Azerbaijani
Presidential Administration Socio-Political Department Head Ali
Hasanov told reporters.

Hasanov said the Azerbaijani government condemns this step by the U.S.

congressmen, and brings to attention that this decision was unilateral,
unjust, pro-Armenian and anti-Turk in spirit. "We believe this
decision also does not correlate strongly with the interests of the
United States and the American people, and seriously damages the
international image of this country," he said.

Azerbaijan should recall its ambassador in Washington in connection
with the support of resolution on Armenian genocide in the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, says deputy
of the Milli Majlis of the pro-governmental Ana Vatan (Motherland)
party Zahid Oruj.

"History showed that the Azerbaijan has always taken the most correct
and timely decision in an emotional state. I therefore consider it
necessary to recall our ambassador to the United States with the
wording "for consultations", said the deputy at the plenary session
of the Milli Mejlis on Friday.

"The United States has failed to appoint its ambassador to Azerbaijan
for already half a year. This fact does not prove friendly attitude
of Washington to our country. The absence of the US ambassador has
numerous subtexts, both political and pursuing the plans to impose
pressure on our country.

This is also connected with the fact that the United States is working
in the direction of the opening of the Armenian-Turkish borders,"
added MP Gudrat Hasanquliyev.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE’S PARTY WILFRIED MARTENS

president.am
March 4 2010
Armenia

Today, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received the Chairman
of the European People’s Party Wilfried Martens and his delegation.

President Sargsyan stressed the importance of the visit of the high
ranking officials of the pan-European structures to Armenia and said
that visits such as this one open new horizons on Armenia’s road
toward Eurointegration. "We view ourselves as Europeans and strive
to live by the standards of the European family, by its values and
in this regard our course is clear," the President of Armenia stressed.

He also highlighted the importance of frequent visits and integration
on a inter-party level.

Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the Chairman of the European People’s
Party with the entering into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and said,
"As has been mentioned on many occasions, it opens new opportunities
for the enhancement of the role of the European Parliament, and
Europe’s role in general."

Wilfried Martens said that Armenia’s three coalition parties –
Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, and Orinats Erkir –
have applied for the membership in the European People’s Party. He
also informed that a EPP mission will soon visit Armenia to study
their applications and to start the process of accession.

The President of Armenia and the Chairman of the European People’s
Party discussed issues of Armenia’s Eurointegration and deepening
cooperation between Armenia and the EPP. Wilfried Martens said that
Armenia is a European country, member of the European Council, part of
the European Partnership program. In his turn, Serzh Sargsyan said that
Armenia views the European Partnership as a "window of opportunity"
and strives to make the best of the offered opportunities and conduct
large-scale reforms in different areas.

The parties exchanged also views on regional developments and the NK
peace process. On all these issues President Serzh Sargsyan presented
the viewpoint of official Yerevan.

ALI AHMADOV: "IT IS REGRETFUL THAT THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ATTACHES SO MUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

APA
March 4 2010
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elnur Mammadli – APA. "It is regretful that the U.S. House of
Representatives attaches so much importance to the so-called Armenian
genocide. Actually this fact should be regarded as a support to
falsify the history," deputy chairman of New Azerbaijan Party (YAP)
Ali Ahmadov said in his interview to the party’s website. According
to Ali Ahmadov, support of the U.S. congress to falsify the history,
may encourage some to falsification. On the other hand, the passage of
such a document, or attempts in this direction aims to exert pressure.

"If the U.S. House of Representatives passes the draft resolution on
the so-called genocide, it will prove that the US is ready to lose
its friends and partners. The passage of this document is against
Azerbaijan as much as it is against Turkey. A decision against
Azerbaijan’s friend is also the decision against Azerbaijan," he said.

Ali Ahmadov said the discussion of the issue is connected with the
opening of Armenia-Turkey borders planned to be realized basing on
America’s scenario.

"The borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan were closed as a protest
against Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan. So, the decisive
condition for opening the borders is Armenia’s withdrawal from the
occupied Azerbaijani territories. This is the only possible variant of
solution. Even if the US bypassing these conditions intends to pass a
resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide to achieve the opening
of the borders between Armenia and Turkey, I think this is disrespect
for the mission undertaken by the US as the co-chair of the Minsk
Group. Being the Minsk Group co-chair the US should be interested in
supporting any step that will help solve the conflict. But actually
we do not see it, on the contrary we witness the action against any
step that will help solve the conflict. I think that it contradicts
the logic of mediation, logic of justice and truth," he said.

BLOG OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SCR CJSC LAUNCHED

ArmInfo
2010-03-04 10:53:00

ArmInfo. A blog of Director General of South Caucasus Railway CJSC
Shevket Shaydullin has been opened at the portal livejournal.com.

Henceforth, all those wishing to talk to the company head
will be able to do it in the Internet-space at the address
, the company press service
told ArmInfo.

SCR CJSC is the 100 percent subsidiary of Russian Railways CJSC. In
February 2008 SCR obtained a concession of the state CJSC Armenian
Railway. The agreement of concession of the Armenian Railroad CJSC
for 30 years with a 10-year renewable period was signed in Yerevan
in February 2008.

AIDS/JOURNALIST-TO-JOURNALIST TRAINING PROGRAM

2010/03/02 | 12:00

media

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ARMENIA WELCOMES REOPENING OF KEY BORDER CROSSING ON RUSSIAN-GEORGIA BORDER

ARKA
March 2, 2010

YEREVAN, March 2, /ARKA/. Armenia welcomed Monday the reopening of
a key border crossing on Russian-Georgia border that had been used
by Armenian businessmen as the only overland conduits to the outside
world. The Upper Lars border crossing was closed by Moscow in June
2006 for repair.

The crossing is effectively the only land crossing between Russia and
Georgia, the others running through Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The
move hit hard Armenian exporters of agricultural produce and other
goods.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, Arsen Ghazarian, chairman of
the Union of Armenian Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said the
open border check point will cut transportation expenses by 20-25%
or $1,000-$1,500 for taking a truck of goods in both directions.

After the crossing was shut down in 2006 Armenian exporters and
importers had to use ferryboat routes across the Black Sea. The
ferryboat makes one trip a week between Georgian port of Poti and a
Russian port on the Black Sea.

ARMENIAN, GEORGIAN PRESIDENT DISCUSS COOPERATION

Yerkir
01.03.2010 12:28

Yerevan (Yerkir) – President Serzh Sargsyan and his Georgian
counterpart Mikheil Sahakashvili discussed issues pertinent to the
further deepening of the Armenian-Georgian friendly relations and
economic cooperation in Batumi over the weekend. They also spoke
about the ongoing works to open the Upper Lars border crossing.

After the meeting, Presidents Sargsyan and Sahakashvili answered
questions of the journalists.

Sahakashvili welcomed his Armenian colleague and noted that his country
always rejoices at Armenia’s success and is saddened with Armenia’s
problems; Armenia feels the same for Georgia. "I believe, that these
cordial relations and close cooperation are conditioned not only
ours – the Presidents’ personal input, even though it is important,
but first of all they must be credited to our two nations," President
Sahakashvili underlined and added, "Many Armenians visit this town
in summer, and locals welcome them with pleasure. In addition, many
ethnic Armenians live here and there is also an Armenian church. All
ethnic groups coexist peacefully, and we are very proud of that fact
and consider it to be our achievement."

The President of Armenia expressed gratitude for the invitation
and warm welcome and said that he heard a lot about Batumi and is
much impressed with what he has seen on this visit. Serzh Sargsyan
reiterated that Armenia and Georgia enjoy excellent relations and
expressed confidence and it will last forever. "We have lived like
brothers for thousand years and will continue to."

Accompanied by Sahakashvili, President Serzh Sargsyan made a tour of
Batumi, observed construction works and investment programs aimed at
the town’s development.

TIGRAN SARGSYAN ATTENDED JUBILEE EVENTS

gov.am
March 1 2010
Armenia

Republic of Armenia Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended today
the jubilee events dedicated to the hundredth birth anniversary of
outstanding Armenian chess figure Henrik Gasparyan.

The head of government took part in the unveiling of a memorial plaque
to Henrik Gasparyan, followed by homage paid to Henrik Gasparyan and
9th world chess champion Tigran Petrosyan.

During a gala event dedicated to the hundredth anniversary of Henrik
Gasparyan, the Prime Minister stated in part: "This is a great
day for those Armenians who are fond of chess. We are marking the
hundredth birth anniversary of outstanding Armenian chess figure
Henrik Gasparyan. Anyone familiar with chess is well aware of his
important legacy and valuable contribution to the development of
this game both at home and abroad." According to the Prime Minister,
Mr. Gasparyan’s exercises and manuals have provided a guideline to
many talented chess players worldwide.

Tigran Sargsyan emphasized the need for propagating chess in our
country and keeping up the fame of the Armenian chess school. In
conclusion, together with the hosts and other honorary guests of
the event, the Prime Minister handed in prizes to the winners of the
first nationwide chess sketch and exercise contest.

WB to provide additional financing of $7 and $5 millions to Armenian programs

2010-02-26
/more/id/592057/lang/en

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, ARMENPRESS: The Board of Directors of the World
Bank approved the provision of 7 million USD loan as an additional
financing of the `Social Investment Fund in Armenia’ program and the 5
million USD loan for the additional financing of `Social Insurance
Administration’ program.

Director of the WB Armenia Office Aristomene Varudakis said today at a
press conference that the two loan programs are aimed at assisting to
the efforts of the RA government directed toward improving the social
condition of the Armenia’s population.

He said the first program will promote the increase of the living
conditions of socially insecure and vulnerable groups of people.
`Armenia has infrastructural gaps – schools, kinder-gartens, water
pipelines, clinics need repair and reconstruction. The program is
mainly for rural areas,’ Varudakis said. With the implementation of
the program new jobs will be created, with initial calculations
annually 200.

The second program is aimed at expanding the works directed toward
improving the social services in Armenia. The main target group are
the job seekers, young people wanting to make a career, unemployed
population of rural areas as well socially insecure and vulnerable
families, handicapped people, pensioners. The additional financing
will support in the restoration of county offices providing social
services, as well as in works directed toward the reforms in the
pensions system.

Youth organizations in U.S. commemorate Sumgait massacre victims

27.02.2010 12:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Youth organizations in U.S. held Friday a protest
action to commemorate the victims of 1988 Sumgait massacre.

Several dozens of young people gathered in front of the Azerbaijani
Embassy in Washington, scanting `Sumgait massacre -challenge for
humanity’, `Independence to Nagorno Karabakh’, `We calf for fait
investigation into Sumgait pogroms’.

The massacre of Armenians in Sumgait (a town located a half an hour
drive away from Baku) took place on February 27-29, 1988. The events
were preceded by a wave of anti-Armenian statements and rallies that
swept over Azerbaijan. Almost the entire area of the town with
population of 250 thousand became a site of unhindered mass pogroms.
Armed with iron rods, stones, axes, knives, bottles and canisters full
of petrol, the perpetrators broke in Armenian houses. There were
dozens of casualties, mostly burnt alive after assaults and torture.
Hundreds of innocent people were wounded and disabled. The story of
Sumgait marked the first entry in a long list of crimes against
humanity and ethnic cleansings of the end of the 20th century.